no difference was observed between the responses of nurses and those of mws. a professional code of conduct provides guidelines for professional behavior, and to a certain extent, it gives a summary of the ethical debate concerning the aims,values,and norms of members involved in these professions.the lack of a clearly defined mandate in relation to the care surrounding abortion is a serious shortcoming in japan.the professional code of conduct for nurses and mws in japan should include professional behavior, values of care, and norms associated with abortion care.